Just hours until first pitch: Lock in your picks

PHILADELPHIA — Last year I picked the Astros to win 77 games and sweated it from the beginning, through 0-8, 9-21 and 26-45. In the end, I was sweating it the other way, sure that they were going to beat it until a dreadful last trip through Washington, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. I missed by one game

This year, as many of you saw in our season preview issue, the official prediction was 75 wins. This of course means absolutely nothing. Judging by statistical projections and predictions of those who put more time into it and have a less Astros-centric view of the world, I didn’t come down enough from last year’s pick.

Bodog.com set the over/under at 71 1/2 wins for the Astros and sent me the rest of their odds on opening day eve:

Hunter Pence home runs
O/U 25.5

Carlos Lee home runs
O/U 22.5

Carlos Lee RBIs
O/U 89.5

Michael Bourn stolen bases
O/U 54.5

Brett Myers wins
O/U 13

Wandy Rodriguez wins
O/U 11

J.A. Happ
O/U 9.5

Remember that the best bet is always no bet, but is there any one that sticks out to you? And what is your prediction for the Astros’ win total?

• • •

Opening day has brought snow to Philadelphia, quite an unusual gameday sight. The lineups will be posted within the next hour or two for the 12:05 p.m. start, and I’ll tweet it when it comes out, so follow me on Twitter.